One Hour Cinnamon Rolls

 My sons were in the mood for some cinnamon rolls this past weekend so I headed on over to Pinterest to find a cinnamon roll recipe that wouldn't take me all day to make. That's where I found the recipe from Life Made Simple. It's super simple and only took about an hour to make. Definitely worth the time!

This recipe makes a 13x9 dish of rolls so you will have a lot of them. It would be a great recipe to make for a sleepover or family get-together. Or if you just have a sweet tooth. 

If you have a recipe that you feel tops this one, I'd love to try it out. 





One Hour Cinnamon Rolls                      

Prep time

45 mins

Cook time

15 mins

Total time

1 hour

Yield: 12-15

Ingredients

• 2¾ c. all-purpose flour (I use unbleached flour for everything)
• ¼ c. sugar
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 egg
• 1 package yeast (or 2¼ tsp.)
• ½ c. water
• ¼ c. whole milk
• 1 tsp. salt
• 
  
• Filling:
• ⅔ c. brown sugar
• ¼ c. (½ stick) butter, room temperature
• 1 tbsp. ground cinnamon
• ¾ tsp. vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp. almond extract (optional - I just used the 3/4 tsp of vanilla and it turned out great)
• 
  
• Vanilla glaze:
• 1½ c. powdered sugar
• ¼ c. (½ stick) butter, melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2-3 tbsp. milk

Directions

1. In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the flour, yeast and salt.
2. In a small microwave safe bowl (or glass measuring cup), combine the sugar, butter, water and milk. Heat in the microwave until the mixture is hot and the butter is almost melted (it took about 1 minute 30 seconds on HIGH in my microwave). Gradually add the milk mixture into the flour mixture. Add the egg and mix until a soft and sticky dough forms.
3. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
4. If using a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook and set on the lowest mixing setting for 4 minutes or until the dough becomes elastic or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for 3-4 minutes. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest on the counter for 5 minutes.
5. Once the dough has rested, roll it out on a lightly floured surface until it measures a 16x9 inch rectangle. Prepare the filling by combining all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl except for the butter. Spread the butter over the top of the rolled dough, then cover with the filling. Tightly roll the dough and cut into 12 portions. I like to use dental floss for this... I also cut it in half, then fourths etc. That way my pieces are all uniform in size (you may have a few smaller pieces from the ends, just arrange them around the larger rolls).
6. Place the rolls into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish and gently press a piece of aluminum foil over top. Turn OFF your oven and place the covered rolls inside to rise for 25 minutes.
7. Remove the rolls from the oven and turn ON your oven to 375 degrees. Once heated, bake the rolls for 15-18 minutes or until the centers are lightly golden brown in color.
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before frosting. While rolls are cooling, prepare the frosting by combining all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and beating by hand or with a hand mixer until smooth. Spread over the tops of the rolls.

Notes from Life Made Simple:

-I always add a "hint" of almond extract to the filling. Feel free to use only vanilla extract, or only almond extract.
-If you live in a dry place or have trouble with baked goods drying out quickly, you may want to fill a separate 9x13 inch baking dish with boiling water and put in on the lowest rack in your oven right before you proof the rolls (place them in the warm oven to rise). This will ensure that the rolls stay moist and elastic. You will keep the water in the oven until they are baked.
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Okay, there you have it. Easy and delicious cinnamon rolls. Please share this recipe with your friends so they can enjoy them as well. Don't forget to send me your cinnamon roll recipes to try.

As always, thanks for reading.

Take care,
NB